The Blaze completed an extraordinary domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a last‑ball showdown to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. This victory added to the triumphs they had already secured earlier in the season – the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup – cementing their status as the most dominant side in English women's cricket for the year.
The final was a roller‑coaster of emotions, with the Blaze needing a steep 17 runs from the final two overs and then just two runs off the very last delivery. It was Emma Jones who rose to the occasion, delivering an unbeaten 34 runs off just 25 balls and sealing the win with the final boundary.
Her heroics capped a chase that had already seen Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss each craft half‑centuries as the Blaze pursued a daunting target of 252. The story began with a disciplined spell from Lucy Higham, who claimed four wickets for 49 runs, restricting Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in the 2025 edition – to a total of 251.
Hampshire’s innings was anchored by solid contributions from Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp, both of whom reached the fifty‑run mark. The Blaze won the toss and, thanks to the tight, economical bowling of Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, managed to keep the run‑rate down to a meager 11 runs in the first five overs.
However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan, began to shift momentum. The pair put together an 84‑run stand, with McCaughan confidently driving the ball around the ground to register her first half‑century since June. Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the tournament, attempted to keep her streak of centuries alive but was caught on the long‑on boundary, followed shortly by a sharp catch off Georgia Adams at mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham.
As the middle overs unfolded, McCaughan and Kemp continued to dominate, forging a 67‑run partnership that took the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet the Blaze’s experience and tactical acumen began to surface. Higham struck again, claiming the third and fourth wickets of the innings. She saw Kemp stumped and then trapped Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on.
Gordon’s performance has been a revelation since returning from The Hundred, amassing 14 wickets in eight matches, and her 4‑49 in this game marked her third four‑for in that period. Charley Phillips added to Hampshire’s woes by removing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove, and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, effectively crumbling the batting line‑up and ensuring the final total settled at 251.
In response, the Blaze’s chase began with a flurry of boundaries from Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont, who together dismantled the bowling attack over 15 overs, building a comfortable 95‑run partnership. Their aggressive intent was briefly checked when Wellington turned the tide, taking two crucial wickets in a single over – Bryce was caught deep square, and her sister Kathryn was elegantly dismissed at slip. Despite these setbacks, Beaumont, supported by Georgia Elwiss, kept the scoreboard ticking.
Beaumont, a former England opener, displayed a mix of resilience and flair, surviving three drops and a stumping chance before finally being given out lbw to Wellington. That wicket triggered a mini‑collapse, with three wickets falling in just 26 balls.
With 30 runs still required and the pressure mounting, the Blaze lost another wicket when Kirstie Gordon was caught, leaving them needing 17 runs from the final two overs. Emma Jones stepped up at this critical juncture.
She unleashed a spectacular reverse pull and a crisp straight drive, both finding the boundary. Even after a run‑out on the third ball of the over, Jones maintained her composure and, with a sweeping four on the very last ball, secured a nerve‑wracking victory for the Blaze.
The win not only completed a domestic treble for the Blaze but also highlighted the depth of talent within their squad. Emma Jones’ calm under pressure, Lucy Higham’s incisive spell, and the strategic use of bowlers like Ballinger, Phillips, and Gordon showcased a team that could adapt and thrive in high‑stakes scenarios.
For Hampshire, the loss was a bitter pill, especially after a strong showing throughout the tournament and a commendable partnership between McCaughan and Kemp. Looking ahead, the Blaze will aim to build on this momentum in upcoming competitions, while Hampshire will reflect on the lessons learned from a closely contested final.
The match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling finishes in recent women’s domestic cricket, illustrating the growing excitement and competitiveness of the sport in England. The Blaze’s treble stands as a testament to their consistency, skill, and the ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.